Rob Bradley helped Alabama to a national title this year as an assistant coach.

July 10, 2013

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -
Rob Bradley, a former player of Devon Brouse's at North Carolina, has taken the reigns as Purdue's head men's golf coach. Brouse remains the Director of Golf Operations and will enter his 16th year as Purdue's head women's golf coach.

Bradley spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach at Alabama, where he helped guide the Crimson Tide to a national championship.

Prior to Alabama, Bradley enjoyed a successful three-year tenure as an assistant at the University of North Florida (2009-12), during which the Ospreys qualified for the NCAA Regional three times and advanced to the NCAA Championships twice, finishing 14th in 2011 and tied for 12th in 2012.

During his time at UNF, Bradley helped tutor two players who combined for three All-America honors. Sean Dale was a two-time All-American, earning second-team honors in 2010 and third-team accolades in 2012. Kevin Aylwin garnered honorable mention recognition in 2012.

"I want to thank athletics director Morgan Burke, senior associate athletics director Nancy Cross, and director of golf Devon Brouse for giving me the opportunity to join the Purdue family as the new head men's golf coach," Bradley said. "I am looking forward to coaching at a university with such high academic and athletic standards. The Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex is a first-class facility that displays the university's commitment to both men's and women's golf. I am excited to begin working with this talented group of players as we begin to take Purdue men's golf to the next level."

Bradley was a four-year starter for Brouse at North Carolina before embarking on a professional career. During his time in Chapel Hill, he helped lead the Tar Heels to nine tournament victories, two ACC Championships, four NCAA Tournament appearances and a third-place finish at the 1993 NCAA Championships.

"Rob Bradley brings success and a reputation as a 'players coach' to the tradition of Purdue golf," Brouse said. "He is a tireless recruiter and has a record of success at the highest levels of college golf, both as a player and a coach. I know that our players will enjoy working with him."

Bradley captured two medalist honors at UNC, including the 1995 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate and the 1995 Cavalier Classic. He finished seventh individually at the 1993 NCAA Championships and was a two-time honorable mention All-American (1993 and 1996).

"We are excited to welcome Rob and Chastity and their family to Purdue," athletics director Morgan Burke said. "Rob's background, experience and knowledge are exactly what our men's program needs at this time. He has `been-there, done-that' as a collegiate and professional golfer and as a coach, and he knows what it takes to be a champion. I know he is eager to work with Devon, his college coach, and support him in the overall development of both teams as well as the golf complex."

The 2012 graduate of Excelsior College spent seven years as a full member of the Nationwide Tour (1997, 2000-04 and 2008) and was a two-time participant in the U.S. Open (1997 and 2003). He was a six-time finalist at the PGA's Q-School and won the 1999 Kentucky Open Championship. Bradley also claimed the 1995 New Jersey State Amateur Championship.

`We are thrilled to welcome Rob and his family to the Boilermaker family," senior associate athletics director Nancy Cross said. "With Rob's outstanding career as a junior All-American, a collegiate All-American and a professional golfer, he possesses the skills and experience that will ensure the advancement of our Purdue student-athletes. This success, combined with his impressive career as an assistant coach at both North Florida and Alabama and his tremendous enthusiasm for player development will position our men's golf team for great success."

Assistant coach Brian Brodell, who is entering his third season at Purdue, will work as a men's assistant coach under Bradley, while Caroline Haase will begin her fourth season as an assistant women's golf coach for Brouse. The women's team has achieved tremendous success under Hall of Fame coach, Brouse, with eight-straight top 10 NCAA Championship finishes, including the national title in 2010.

Bradley and his wife, Chastity, have a son, Cole, and a daughter, Wesley.